Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-06-23
THE USE OF GYPSUM.

gypsum was introduced into this
country for fertilizing purposes by
Benjamin Franklin. who learned its
value in France. He sOwed some on a
portion of a clOver-field near Philadel.
phia, and its effects were so noticeable
as to attract great attention. Although
the country was poor and the soil had
not begun to be impoverished by fire.
quent groupings. large quantities of
gypsum were imported from France
and applied to land. 1t was afterward
discovered in Nova Scotia, and sup
plies were obtained from there. Sub
sequently it was found in New York
and Michigan in large quantities, and
its use became quite general in parts Of
the country where potatoes and clover
were leading crops. Farmers put a
handful in a hill of potatoes when they
dropped the seed. or placed it about the
tops when they first appeared above
ground. and found that it increased the
yield. They sowed it on clover-felds
with equally good results.
While farmers were entirely satisfied
with the results obtained by the use of
gypsum. and did not weary themselves
about the philosophy of its action, all
went well, and the use of the fertilizer
was very general. Soon. however. ag-
ricultural chemists commenced to en-
Tighten farmers about its mode Of ac-
md thnr h. -.
earnest One chemist stated that gyp-
sum furnished both lime and sulphur
for the use of plants. and that they en-
tered directly into their composition.
Another disputed this, and showed by
carefully-conducted experiments that
clover raised on what is called '.plast-
cred land'' contained no more lime or
sulphur than that produced on land
that had received no dressing or gyp-
sum. A third chemist now brought
out new theory. which was that gyp-
sum absorbed ammonia from the at
mosphere and handed it over to plants.
thus contributing largely to their
growth at merely nominal expense.
One dressing of gypsum, which would
remain and 'do business" for years.
was capable of collecting. storing and
delivering ammonia to clover and 9TH
err plants, without diminishing its stock
in trade to the smallest extent. This
theory. however, was apparently dis
proved by fourth chemist, who
passed current of ammonia over
gypsum. and found that it did not alb
sOrb any of it.
Then the theory that gypsum abb
sorbed moisture from the atmosphere
and soil during a wet time. and gave it
off for the use of plants when the air
and ground were dry was proclaimed.
This was disposed of in the same way
the theory of absorbing ammonia was,
by showing that dry gypsum did not
sensibly Increase in weight by being
exposed to a very moist atmosphere.
The latest theory in regard to the ac-
ton of this substance is that it sets
free potash which has been absorbed
and fixed to the soil. This theory is
an ingenious one. and has the merit of
not being disproved to date. 1t may
be. and quite likely will be. the ac-
cepted theory of all agricultural chem
lists at no very distant day. Many
who accepted this theory in regard to
the general action of gypsum also be-
lieve that it does absorb ammonia
when it has been completely dissolved
by water, of which large amount is
required. The general belief of farmers
who are not possessed of much scien-
tific knowledge is that while gypsum is
highly beneficial to the field to which it
is applied. it actually Injuries those in
the vicinity by appropriating the am
mOnia that would otherwise serve to
enrich them. There is no reason, how
ever, for believing that such is the case.
1t is generally believed that the pro-
defending and denying the
various theories about the way gypsum
acts have had much to do in prevent
NC its general use. If such is the case |
t only shows that many persons care
more for theory than for fact. If the |
application of land-plaster increases |
he yield Of potatoes. clover and other
,rops, its uses should be continued |
whether any one knows for certainty
low it acts. We should never mind
he why and wherefore but only
Judge of the results it produces. If
lollar's worth of land-plaster will pro-
luce ten dollars worth of crops, it is
IN economical fertilizer to buy and to
Use freely. That it is capricious-that
5, that it does not affect all soils in the
anne way-should not stand in the
way of experimenting with it. 1t has
Idded much to gains of farmers in
ONE parts of the country, and it is
likely that it would be highly bene-
icial to many bodies of land to which
has never been applied. 1t costs but
title to make an experiment with it.
or it is by far the cheapest of any of
he commercial fertilizers. 1t is .